A needed break before a showdown

I’ve banged into some walls lately, but I hit a different kind of wall after we beat the Diamondbacks, 2-1, in Saturday’s game when big Mike Napoli hit that bomb to center field. I came out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my waist and sat there at my locker for, I don’t know, maybe 30 minutes. Didn’t move. Couldn’t move. My legs were killing me.

If anybody came up and talked to me, I don’t even remember. That must be what a marathoner goes through. I was in a different place mentally, just sitting there for the longest time, daydreaming.

The fatigue ran through my whole body, but I felt it most in my legs. Mike Scioscia gave me today off, so I could get ready for the big series in Texas and play this team we need to run away from.

Winning the first two games here in Arizona made it easier for me to take a day. Plus, we’ve got Gary Matthews Jr. to take over in center, and he’s one of the best out there.

I’ve hit walls three or four times recently, and I’ve been feeling it. But I’m getting better. There’s a difference between soreness and hurting. I’m not really hurting. But my legs were definitely sore yesterday.

Our goal right now is to win series. You can’t win them all, I know, but that’s what we’re trying to do. I want to get my time off now and then before the All-Star break, like today, because I plan on playing the whole second half. We’ve got business to take care of, and I want to give it everything I’ve got.

We’re playing well, feeling good now. There’s a nice vibe in the clubhouse. It’s coming together. We’re playing the way we can – great defense, timely hitting, good pitching. We’re running the bases aggressively. Man, Erick Aybar was flying around the bases when he scored on that bunt yesterday. What’s more exciting than that?

I’m seeing speed come back to the game, and it’s great to see. We went through that period from 1997 to 2007, I’d say, where it was all about power. The whole focus was on home runs in the so-called steroid era. Now I can see it changing, with more focus on speed. You even see it on the highlight shows, Carl Crawford stealing six bases in a game, Dexter Fowler getting five. There are some guys coming into the game who can fly, like Fowler, Adam Jones in Baltimore. I love that.

We’ll find out soon how the All-Star Game voting turns out. It would be a great honor to be there in St. Louis, with all the great players. Even if I’m not voted in, I think I have a pretty good shot at making it as a reserve. I’m having a good year, and I honestly think I’m getting better.

What people don’t realize is I was raw when I came into professional baseball. I didn’t even know what a slider was. I was also a late bloomer physically. In some ways, I’m just coming into my own. Having Bobby Abreu here has been big for me. I’m more disciplined at the plate than I’ve ever been, and I can thank Bobby for that. He’s a master up there, and he’s a great guy to play with, because he’s so willing to share his knowledge. He’s also a really funny guy, helping keep things loose.

I live in Texas in the off-season, but I’m going to be Torii unplugged the next few days during our series with the Rangers. I can’t be dealing with all those outside distractions, so I’ll unplug all the phones and turn off the lights and just get my rest.

Torii, your the toughest and hardest working player in the majors and it shows. You deserve to be the third outfielder in All-Star Game over Josh Hamilton because he has only played about a third of fourth of the season. Show America truly how good Torii Hunter and the Angels are by sweeping Texas, winning All-Star MVP, and winning the prestige World Series.

Torii, your the toughest and hardest working player in the majors and it shows. You deserve to be the third outfielder in All-Star Game over Josh Hamilton because he has only played about a third of fourth of the season. Show America truly how good Torii Hunter and the Angels are by sweeping Texas, winning All-Star MVP, and winning the prestige World Series.

Torii, your the toughest and hardest working player in the majors and it shows. You deserve to be the third outfielder in All-Star Game over Josh Hamilton because he has only played about a third of fourth of the season. Show America truly how good Torii Hunter and the Angels are by sweeping Texas, winning All-Star MVP, and winning the prestige World Series.

Torii, your the toughest and hardest working player in the majors and it shows. You deserve to be the third outfielder in All-Star Game over Josh Hamilton because he has only played about a third of fourth of the season. Show America truly how good Torii Hunter and the Angels are by sweeping Texas, winning All-Star MVP, and winning the prestige World Series.

Torii, your the toughest and hardest working player in the majors and it shows. You deserve to be the third outfielder in All-Star Game over Josh Hamilton because he has only played about a third of fourth of the season. Show America truly how good Torii Hunter and the Angels are by sweeping Texas, winning All-Star MVP, and winning the prestige World Series.

Tori,
Howzit Brah. I feel for you . Man I can’t imagine what it takes to go out there day after day. I’m not an athlete, but can admire the dedication it takes. “Unplugged” is just what we all need once in a while. I know a beach North shore Oahu,Thats the ticket for me. Aloha to you and good luck with the All star game. You deserve to be a starter!!!! Rock on Angels!!!!
Tom

Hope your well deserved rest was productive. GMJ made a good show today. Thanks for mentioning Figgie in the LA Times blurb. He is having one heck of a year. I will keep voting for both of you (and a few other team mates)

The angels can do it!!With you Torii on the team, I have watched you give your all and it is contagious. All of the team is catching on and playing hard. Take care of yourself. I hope you can do your job and keep those walls away from you. I know the angels will be the best team in baseball in OCTOBER!!!

Man, Torii you are he MAN! I’ve been saying it since the beginning of our struggles this season, starting with the loss of N.A. *God Rest His Soul*, but the pitching and the hitting WILL come around. True baseball fans can recognize that the season begins after or just before the A/S break. And I am loving how you guys are beginning to turn it on. The youngsters held up the slack enough in the pitching rotation, the HRs are flying now and most importantly clutch hitting. But comm’on man we LOVE your all-out style of play and G.G. #9 is coming if you stay healthy, but please stop slamming into walls brotha! Lets start our run, to run-away with West tonight in TEX… ANGEL BASEBALL RULESZ – WE OWN THE WEST – – 714Steve-O

Torii, I admire your heart,candidness, and dedication. It’s clear I support you and the Angels org. But let me throw a curve ball and remind you that for this 23 year old, though I can barely hit a ball at the batting cages, your strength and character transcends mere baseball. Watching guys like you play with all your heart inspires me to do the same in my personal life. So lets do this together Torii and be the best that we can be! Go Angels!

It’s always nice to take a break after working a ton for a long time. I always look forward to lunch while working. I do a lot of work over the day and lunch is my break, my time to get in my own place where nothing can disturb me.
-Dillonhttp://dillonm.mlblogs.com

you know what torri you deserve to play in the all-star game thats what u deserve after all this you’ve done for the angels i just wanted to let u know how much i appreciate all the work u are doing and hopefully u keep on doing it to help the angels win it all!!! 4rm your #1 fan Marco!!!

You have made it as an All Star with the people that count. Your Fans!!!!! You are exactly what the Angels have needed in skills and with heart. By the way tell Rex Hutler to stay positive about the Angels but everytime he puts down the other team over and over again, it has a negative affect on the ways the Angels play.

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